The first games of the Europa League play-offs were marked by the away teams, who recorded as many as six victories, while the only host who celebrated in the eight games played was Ludogorets.
Stuttgart, Bologna, Nottingham Forest, Celte Vigo, Crvena zvezda and Genk took a big step towards placing in the round of 16 with away victories.
The only domestic team that won was Ludogorets, while Panathinaikos and Victoria drew.
Stuttgart was convincingly defeated in Glasgow Celtic with 4-1.
The visitors took the lead in the 15th minute with a goal by Bilal El Khannouss, Benjamin Nygren equalized six minutes later, but the Moroccan midfielder put Stuttgart back in front with his second goal of the game in the 28th minute.
In the continuation of the match, the German Bundesliga player scored two more goals, and the scorers were Jamie Leweling (57) and Tiago Tomas (90+3).
Nottingham Forest was outclassed in Istanbul Fenerbahce with 3-0. The English Premier League raced through Istanbul. Murillo put Forest in the lead in the 21st minute, and Igor Jesus “bolstered” the advantage of the English team in the 43rd minute.
The visitors’ victory was confirmed by Morgan Gibbs-White in the 50th minute.
Celta won in Thessaloniki with 2-1 against of PAOK.
The Spaniards took the lead in the 34th minute with a goal by Iago Aspas, and in the 43rd minute Williot Swedberg increased Celta’s advantage. Hope for the Turkish team was restored by Alexander Jeremejeff in the 77th minute.
Dejan Lovren played the entire match for PAOK, while Luka Ivanišec did not play.
She was also successful Bologna which won in Norway Brann with 1-0.
The deciding goal was scored by Santiago Castro in the ninth minute. Nikola Moro played for the guests until the 75th minute.
Red Star was a shock in France Lille winning 1-0, and the scorer was Tebo Uchenna (45+1).
He achieved the only domestic victory Ludogorets having defeated Ferencvaros with 2-1.
Kwadwo Duah (23) and Son (67) scored for the hosts and Yusuf Bambidele (27) for the guests. Franko Kovačević played for the Hungarian team until the 75th minute.
Panathinaikos and Victoria Pilsen played 2-2. Denis Višinsky gave Victoria the lead in the 11th minute, Andreas Tetteh equalized after half an hour of the match, and the same player gave Pao the lead in the 61st minute.
However, in the 80th minute, Cheick Souare made the final 2-2. Tin Jedvaj did not play for the Greek team.
The return matches are on February 26.
(Hina | Photo: FK Crvena zvezda)
